Question

Zack is testing whether temperature affects the distance a rubber band can be stretched before it breaks. He heats three rubber bands in a microwave oven. He
puts three rubber bands on the kitchen counter. He puts three in the refrigerator and
three in the freezer.
Which is the control group?
A. rubber bands in the refrigerator

B. rubber bands in the microwave

C. rubber bands on the kitchen counter

D. rubber bands in the freezer

Answer 1

ANSWER:

Rubber bands on the kitchen counter is the control group.

EXPLANATION:

• Any control group in an experiment is the variable that has no impact on the result of the experiment.

• When rubber bands are put in the microwave, freezer and refrigerator, the temperature has an impact on the rubber bands.

• On the kitchen counter, the rubber bands are not affected by any temperature and so will not have an impact on the outcome of the experiment.

• When rubber bands are heated in the microwave and then cooled in a refrigerator or freezer, the temperature will impact the outcome of the experiment.